Page 9 of Enzo (The Amato Family #2)

“ P apa wants to see you,” Kail says gently.

“I’d rather he didn’t.”

My boyfriend huffs. “Then at least see Benji the next time he stops by? You need more visitors than me, Doc, and James!”

“You and Doc don’t count since you’re the ones taking care of me.”

Hurt flashes across his face, there and gone almost too quickly as he smooths his expression out.

“Kail…”

“It’s fine. I know what you meant. But you can’t live your life in isolation, baby.”

“I’m not. I’m just…processing.”

“Dr. Madison will help you process, if that’s what you really need. But you can’t shut your family or best friend out.” He sits at the edge of my bed and reaches for my hand. In a gentle tone, he asks, “Are you afraid they’ll look at you differently?”

“Of course they’re going to look at me differently!

I am different. I’m not the same person I was a few weeks ago.

I’ve lost my job, my leg, my fucking home.

I’m grateful for everything Doc’s done, I truly am, but aren’t you tired of sleeping on that damn twin bed?

Or upstairs, in a room that isn’t ours?”

“Of course I am. But I also know that being here is the best thing for you, and your safety will always be my priority, Enzo.”

I huff. “That’s supposed to be my line.”

Kail smiles, soft, gentle, and so full of love. “It’s both of ours. We’re a team, aren’t we?”

I squeeze his hand, guilt filling me at the knowledge that I don’t deserve this man. He’s putting up with my piss-poor attitude far better than I would in his position.

“I know I’m being unreasonable about the visitor thing, but I just…

I can’t, Kail. I can barely wrap my head around everything, it’s all happening so fast. I know your family cares, and I love them.

They’ve shown how much they care about me more than my own ever did.

But I also can’t look your father in the eye and assure him I’ll take care of his son when I can’t even stand at the fucking toilet on my own. ”

“You know Papa doesn’t care about that. He just wants me happy.

And you make me happy, Enzo. So fucking happy.

I’m not asking you to shove your feelings away, but…

that’s what the therapist is for. To help you get through this and to figure out all the confusing things in your head you’re not willing to talk to me about.

I know there are some. I’ve known you too long not to realize how you work by now, my love.

But don’t worry, I’m prepared to counter all your bullshit with my own. ”

He smiles and I laugh, a lightness filling me that’s been missing for far too long. One of my favorite things about Kail is how he doesn’t take any shit, especially not from me.

His father and brothers made sure he was well prepared, not only for the wider world and nursing school, but when Doc took him under his wing, they gave him a crash course in everything he needed to know about working with snarky, egotistical doctors.

There’s a reason Doc made him my primary nurse, even though it could probably be argued that Kail’s not objective enough when it comes to me.

In truth, he’s probably one of the only people who can dish the shit even better than he takes it.

“I love you.”

“Love you too. I’m going to go shower and change. I’m on duty tonight, but Doc won’t care what I wear for that. Unless you do?” he asks almost innocently.

“Of course not.” I grin.

He laughs. “That’s what I thought. Be back soon.” He hops off the bed and heads out of the room, taking all the lightness and joy I was feeling with him.

When I’m alone, I sigh, not sure what to do with myself now that I don’t have him to distract me. Being alone with my thoughts is…not fun.

I don’t have to wait long until the door to my room opens and Doc walks in. “How you doing today?” he asks as he reads over my chart.

“Alive.”

Doc looks up, tilting his head slightly as he studies me. “Have you spoken to the therapist?”

“Sure have.” If by speaking you mean canceled my appointment without rescheduling, then sure.

Doc takes a seat on the edge of my bed. “Don’t lie to me, Enzo. I know you better than that.”

“Do you?”

The hard stare I get would make anyone else cringe, but I’ve dealt with a mafia heir for the last twenty-one years, so it doesn’t affect me.

At the same time, Doc does know me. Our friendship has survived the past twenty-two years, and as such, he knows me as well as Kail does.

Because when you become someone’s full-time guard, you learn about them inside and out—though James took that literally considering he and Doc are best friends with benefits.

We might not have worked out professionally, but our friendship cemented in the time we did spend together, which means Doc can sniff out my bullshit as well as Kail.

“Have you seen Benji?”

I wince and shake my head. “He’s come by, but I haven’t seen him.” Doc hits me over the side of the head. “What the fuck, Doc?! You crazy ass.”

He pulls his phone out of his pocket. The look on his face is nothing but trouble, and my heart leaps into my throat as I know exactly what the fucker is doing. I try to reach for the device but he jumps off the bed.

“Doc, don’t!”

“Too late,” he replies while typing.

“Fucking tattletale.”

“Più problemi di quanto vali,” he mutters just loud enough for me to hear.

“I don’t think you’re allowed to talk to me like that,” I grouse.

He gives me a look but turns his attention back to his phone, lips turning up in an evil grin.

“You’re in trouble,” he sings.

“ Fuck you ,” I spit. “I want to go home.”

“Too bad. The Boss is coming to check up on you tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll agree you can’t be trusted on your own.”

“You fucking asshole. You can’t run to him every time you don’t get your own way, you prick.”

He wiggles his phone. “And yet…”

“I hate you.”

Doc shrugs and shoves his phone back in his pocket. “Fine by me. You don’t have to like me in order for me to get you healthy.”

I huff and slide lower in my bed, arms crossed over my chest. I’m aware I’m pouting but fucking hell, did he have to tell fucking Cristian?

No one likes to face their boss for anything, but a mafia Boss ?

I am so screwed. Doc places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“It’s for your own good, Enzo. I’m not doing any of this to be a dick. ”

“I know, but you understand how emasculating this is, right? I’m used to being someone reliable who stands on my own two feet.

It’s…humiliating knowing I need so much help.

That it’ll be even longer now before I can start to learn to fucking walk again, thanks to the second surgery. I don’t want anyone to see me this way.

“My position means I have a certain image to uphold. After Joel and Gabriele, I was the highest ranked bodyguard in the organization. This is… It’s a hard pill to swallow.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I don’t want to make this harder for you, but I’m not going to allow you to hurt yourself unnecessarily.

So Cristian will be here tomorrow to kick your ass, and I’m sure Benji will follow.

After that, talk to the therapist. He was vetted by both Hollis and Carter.

Nothing you tell him will shock him. Let him help you. ”

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but… paired with Kail’s soft, genuine concern, it wears me down. “Okay.” I let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry for being such a dick.”

“I won’t accept that because I know you well enough to know it won’t be the last time.”

That elicits a laugh. “Asshole.”

“So you’ve said.” He squeezes my shoulder. “You good?”

I meet his eyes reluctantly. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks.”

“Any time. You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, I am. Promise.”

“Good. Text me if you need anything, okay?”

“Sure, I will. Now go, I’m sick of your face.”

Laughing, he gives my shoulder one more squeeze before letting go and leaving the room.

Kail comes in after Doc, shutting the door behind him. “You okay?”

Sighing, I throw my head back against the pillow and look up at the ceiling. “No. Fucking Doc tattled on me. But… I will be. Eventually.”

“I’m not surprised. Doc’s worried about you. When is Cristian coming?”

“Sometime tomorrow. Good thing you won’t be on shift for that.”

Kail laughs. “I don’t know. I could stay here rather than going to Papa’s, make some popcorn…”

I look at him and scowl, earning another laugh from him. “You’re an asshole.”

“Yep.”

He takes a seat on the bed. “You sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah. I will be. Just…I hate feeling like I’m being told on to a parent, ya know? But I’m fine. Doc doesn’t hold back, but…sometimes you need to hear the hard truth.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. You’ll be fine. After Cristian kicks your ass.”

“You’re such a supportive boyfriend,” I grouse.

Kail snorts. “Fuck supportive. I’m a realist, baby.”

Shaking my head, I can’t help the small smile that crosses my lips.

“James is making dinner, but not until after Doc is finished with his guest.”

“Guest?” I raise a brow.

Kail snorts. “Yep. Soren, the new medical assistant Cristian hired, is hanging out in the sitting room.”

Well, that’s a surprise. I can’t remember the last time Doc showed interest in anyone who wasn’t James. Good for him.

Kail grabs the remote off the side table and turns the TV on so we can browse through the movies on one of the many streaming services we have and find something to watch before dinner.

I’m not looking forward to tomorrow’s meeting, but I try to push it from my head and enjoy this moment with the love of my life, vividly aware of how this could have been no more.

I might be having a hard time with my new reality, but I am also very fucking grateful for the people by my side helping me through it. Even if they are assholes.